Our International Migratory Bird Day group wallowed in glorious spring weather on Saturday as we birded Otter Tail County. From the center of the county to Fergus Falls then south and west to Western Township (for prairie and wetland birds)....then meandering back to the central part of the county and Glendalough State Park (for woodland birds). In all, we tallied 120 species.
Some highlights: The Great Egrets and Black-crowned Night-herons of Grotto Lake in Fergus Falls. You can stand so close to the nests that it's almost voyeuristic! In one quarter mile stretch in Western Township, we had a pair of Upland Sandpipers, five Marbled Godwits, Brewer's Blackbirds, and three Wilson's Phalaropes. With high water everywhere, there was little shorebird habitat. All we could manage was a few Least Sandpipers, some Yellowlegs, and a single (appropriately) Solitary Sandpiper. Even though they just dribbled in, we ended up seeing 11 Warbler species at Glendalough SP, including killer looks at Blackburnian Warbler and Northern Waterthrush. Big Ovenbird numbers at the park, also. We had good Sparrow numbers with 11 species, and a good mix of duck species (also 11). Startling close-ups of Northern Shovelers and elegant male Pintails! We also watched a large group of American White Pelicans doing their synchronized fishing maneuver. Impressive. This group always insists on great food, too. blueberry buckle, bean dip, (and following our usual IMBD food theme: "Dead Bird") deviled eggs, and smoked chicken breast sandwiches. The group: Jeff Schultz, Tom Egeberg, Sandy & Dan Thimgan. -- Thimgans Otter Tail County Battle Lake MN
